SuperSport United have been dumped out of the Nedbank Cup after going down 2-1 to third division side Dondol Stars on Wednesday night.
Nedbank Cup Last 32
Result: SuperSport United 1-2 Dondol Stars
Date: 08 February 2023
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Coach Gavin Hunt raised eyebrows when he put striker Thamsanqa Gabuza in defence alongside Bilal Baloyi while Marmour Niang got a first start of the season.
Matsatsantsa got the opening goal before 20 minutes after captain Siyabonga Nhlapo met Jamie Webber's curling corner and towered above the defence to head in.
Niang looked to open his account eight minutes later through a low shot from range after spotting Stars goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede out of his area, but his attempt missed target.
Dondol began to see a lot of the ball and in forward areas ahead of halftime, but were unable to get through the United defence and went to the break trailing.
Hunt looked to his bench at the start of the second half and decided to bring on Ghampani Lungu for Webber and withdrew Patrick Maswangayi for Thapelo Maseko.
Stars were energised five minutes in the second half and levelled matters when Ricardo Goss fumbled a cutback from the left of the area, which allowed Relebogile Molefe to slot home from close range.
Matsatsantsa were stretched yet again and could've gone behind minutes later after Molefe charged through the centre of the area before firing over from close-range.
SuperSport got a chance to regain the lead moments later with a first-timer header by Zakhele Lepasa, but Gumede was equal to the task and parried for a corner.
The visitors kept calm and went ahead around the last 10 minutes when Surprise Monama's low snap-shot took a deflection and wrong-footed Goss before rolling in the net.
Matsatsantsa battled to find a response and in fact were nearly caught conceding a third from a two-on-two attack, but the effort went wide.
SuperSport did have a late chance through Thabang Sibanyoni's rasping shot following a scramble in the area, but it was parried away by Gumede, as Stars held on for the famous win.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: Goss, Rapoo, Nhlapo, Kewuti, Maswanganyi, Webber, Mbatha, Baloyi, Niang, Lepasa, Gabuza
Subs: Chigova, Moralo, Okon, Donn, Ngoma, Sibanyoni, Lungu, Maseko, Matodzi.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
